Chase Utley took soft-toss batting practice and fielded ground balls Wednesday afternoon before the Phillies' 5-4 win against the Tampa Bay Rays. The swelling in his right ankle, originally sprained during a January workout, is "pretty much out of there," the Phillies' veteran second baseman said.
Utley, 36, continues to show progress from the ankle inflammation that landed him on the disabled list a month ago. He has ramped up baseball activities since the all-star break, and will continue to do so while he's with the team this weekend in Chicago.
A brief rehab assignment with one of the Phillies' minor-league affiliates looms, perhaps as early as next week.